Columbus Marina

November 2 - 6, 2016

The view along the Tenn-Tom has changed to looking more like a river, wild and flowing, there are so many opportunities for photos. The shoreline is laced with flowers including water hyacinth, butterweed and white flowering bushes. We passed pairs of geese, turtles and cypress forests that look dead but are thriving along the river bed.

Tenn-Tom Cabin

River Home on the Tenn-Tom

Tenn-Tom Lighthouse

Tenn-Tom Spillway

Graffiti

Cedar Forest

Deadhead pile

Deadhead shark

Geese

Flowering Shrub

Hawk and friend

Mississippi Yellow

Flowering shrub

Egret

Bridge to Nowhere

Turtle Log

Train Bridge

Construction Art

After locking through six consecutive locks in one day, we anchored north of the Aberdeen Lock at Canal Cutoff, an anchorage recommended by Active Captain. This is a lovely spot with 15 feet of water, pine trees and thick forest. We were at the entrance of what we believe is the start of the Tombigbee River. Along this part of the Tenn-Tom the channel goes straight through the original curves of the Tombigbee, creating cutoffs which make wonderful anchorages. It is very private here so we take advantage of the solar shower, our first in a week. I gave Dave a hair cut in the cockpit. We fell asleep early, excited to know we will be at Columbus Marina tomorrow. For the second night in a row, the coyotes wake me in the middle of the night. Their howls seem to be traveling far through the woods. I've grown to like this late night music. It is a reminder that we are not alone out here. Yet in the grand scheme of things I can't help thinking; All we are is dust in the wind!

Canal Cutoff Anchorage

Canal Cutoff Anchorage

Sunset at Canal Cutoff Anchorage

Columbus Marina is only 35 miles away. We will be leaving Mystic at this dock for a month while we take a detour to New York City for Dave's work . We'll also visit family in Connecticut. The channel leading to the marina is right next to the Stennis lock. It's so close that we called to let the Lock Master know that we will not be locking through. He knows we are coming because the lock masters call ahead as vessels pass to let the next lock know who is coming. It helps tremendously with eliminating long waits at the consecutive locks.

The entrance channel is tricky but we are on the radio with the marina and they are talking us in through the shallows. There are two green markers which we are to keep to our port side, then three red markers, which we are to keep to our starboard side. The dam is frighteningly close as we make the turn up the channel. We find the deep water and the folks at Columbus Marina are waiting for us at the fuel dock, ready to help. Dave filled our diesel tank then moved Mystic to Dock B where we meet "T" the marina manager. He's a big southern guy with a huge sense of humor. He helps us get settled and tells us the important stuff like where we can do laundry, where the bathroom is and how to access the WIFI!

Stennis Lock and Dam from shore

Stennis Lock

I offer to do laundry because I know I can get better WIFI if I'm near the marina office. I met Brandy while drying clothes. She is cruising with her husband, Shawn, aboard a 1976 Ranger 33 named True Blue. Brandy is a chef; Shawn is a mechanical engineer. They sold everything and left Chattanooga on a one way trip to simplify life. I like Brandy right away. We chat about blogging and the challenges of living aboard. I promised to stop by with our boat card so we could keep in touch. Dave joined me and we ended up hanging with them until 10:00 pm. We really enjoyed this lovely couple and hope to meet up with them again. We had a lot in common and shared sincere discussion about simplifying life, conservation and environmental consciousness. Brandy confided in me that they have had some challenges. I shared ours with her. We were both relieved to know that we are not alone. Everyone makes mistakes, however experienced you may be. The reality is that every single day we are in a new place where we've never been before. Everything looks different, sounds different and has different issues for us to resolve. When we looked at things this way, we each began to feel really good about how far we've come!

Brandy & Shawn on True Blue

Brandy and Shawn left in the morning along with several other boats. This marina is a good place to stop for a break and many cruisers make an appearance here. We started seeing boats we know including Life's TraVails, In Deep Ship and Tidings of Joy. We will see a lot more boats pass through before we leave here. On our third day, Henry, aboard Sea Marie, catches up to us. We invite him over to Mystic for dinner. It is so good to see him and Mickey!

Henry & Mickey